Vote counting machine



Feb. 28, 1967 G. c. HOLMES VOTE COUNTING MACHINE Filed sept. 23, 1965INVENTOR. G15/V5 C. HOM/'S United States Patent O 3,306,534 VOTECGUNTING MACHINE Gene C. Holmes, 5708 Briarclii't Road, Los Angeles,Calif. 90028 Filed Sept. 23, 1965, Ser. No. 489,556 1 Claim. (Cl.23S-50) This invention relates to vote counting machines.

An object of this invention is to provide a vote counting machine whichis adapted to use an essentially standard ballot, that is, one whichneed be .modified only superficially. More specifically, the ballot isarranged so that the voter punches holes in designated areas of theballot rather than marking the ballot with a rubber stamp. To facilitatepunching the ballot, the voting booth is provided with a table tophaving holes so located as to correspond to the locations of the areasdesignated to be punched. The punching operation would be done with adie fitting the holes in the table top.

A further object is to provide a vote counting machine which is arrangedto receive the punched ballots in sequence and by simple manipulation ofthe pins to sense the punched areas and tabulate the results.

A still further object is to provide a vote counting machine which issimple of construction, small in size, li-ght in weight, low in cost andup-keep and easily manipulated so as to warrant the `use of severalmachines at voting headquarters. Or, if desired, a single machine may beemployed to tabulate the results from a group of precincts, and incounties or cities of low population, a single machine may besufficient.

With the above and other pear hereinafter, reference is ing drawings, inwhich:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a prepared for use with the tabletop at the precinct.

FIGURE 2 is a front view with a portion shown in section showing a tabletop adapted for use at the precinct in connection with 4the ballot.

FIGURE 3 is a front view of the table.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary section view showing the manner in which theballot may be changed by means of a die, pencil or similar pointed tool.

FIGURE 5 is a reduced fragmentary plan view of the vote countingmachine.

FIGURE 6 is a front view thereof.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary front view taken within circle 7 ofFIGURE 6.

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken through 8-8 ofFIGURE 6.

The vote counting machine utilizes a ballot 1 formed of paper in themanner of the conventional ballot. The ballot 1 differs from theconventional ballot only in that the squares 2 opposite the candidatesname have holes arranged in circles so as to define discs 3 which may bepunched from the ballot.

For this purpose, a table 4 top 5 having marginal stops 6 to position aballot thereon. Hinged to the table top is a template 5a having bars 5bregistering with the columns of squares 2.

The table top and template bars are provided with aligned holes 7a and7b so that selected discs 3 may be punched out with a suitable die 8a orby a pointed pencil 8b. The holes may be larger than the pencil or maybe smaller. In the latter case, the sloping sides of the pencil pressagainst the margins of the hole lto sever the disc so that a clean holeis formed.

The ballot counting machine includes a housing 9 supported on legs 10and having a ballot receiving plate 11 at its upper side. The plate 11is dimensioned to receive objects in view as may apdirected to theaccompanyballot vote counting .machine and the is provided having atable the ballot and is provided with marginal stops 12 so as to fix theposition of the ballot thereon. The plate 11 is provided with aplurality of holes 13 corresponding in position to the holes 7a. so thatthe discs 3 or the holes for-med by removal of the discs 3 register theholes 13.

Below each hole 13 is a guide block 14 having a bore 15 in coaxialrelation with the corresponding hole. Each bore receives a hole sensingpin 16 which extends below the block 14 and is provided at its lower endwith a disc 17. Between each disc 17 and block 14 and surrounding thepin 16 is a spring 18. Each spring 18 is attached to the block 14 andcorresponding disc 17 and exerts an upward force on the disc so as tourge the upper end of the pin 16 into contact with the ballot; or if thepin is in registry with a perforation, the spring urges the pin upwardlythrough the ballot. A stop shoulder 19 limits downward movement of eachpin 16.

Hinged to the rear side of the ballot receiving plate 11 is a cover 20which is movable between a raised position indicated by `broken lines inFIGURE 8 and a lowered position overlying the ballot receiving plate.The under side of the cover 20 is provided with a plurality of spacers21 forming recesses overlying the holes 13 so that the pins 16 may moveupwardly through the holes in the ballot. The margins of the spacersbear against the ballot and hold the ballot against displacement whenengaged Iby a pin 16.

The hole sensing pins 16 are connected by cables 22 which pass overpulleys 23 and are connected to a handle 20a hinged at the rear side ofthe housing, back of the cover 20. 'Ihe cables 22 are so adjusted thatwhen the handle 20a is raised toward the broken line position shown inFIGURE 8, the cables 22 act in opposition to the springs 18 to retractthe pins 16 so that their upper ends are essentially flush with the topof the plate 11.

Mounted adjacent to each guide block 14 is a switch 24 positioned so asto be engaged by a stop shoulder 19 when the corresponding pin 16 haspenetrated the ballot.

The switches 24 are connected by leads 25 to a battery of counters 26located in an upright panel 27 at the rear of the ballot countingmachine.

Operation of the ballot counting machine is as follows:

When the cover 20 and handle 20a are in their raised condition, a ballotis placed on the plate 11. The cover 20 is then lowered to hold theballot, and the handle 20a is lowered, releasing the cables 22 to permitthe hole sensing pins 16 to move upwardly and either engage the ballotso as to be restrained thereby or pass through a hole previously formedin the ballot. If a pin senses a hole, then the corresponding switch 24is operated and the corresponding counter 26 tabulates the voterepresented by the hole.

In the case of absentee ballots, the disc 3 may be punched either usinga pencil or other convenient tool without the use of the table shown inFIGURES l, 2 and 3.

Having fully described the present invention, it is to be understoodthat it is not to be limited to the specific details set forth, but isof the full scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

A machine for counting votes cast on a punchable ballot, comprising:

(a) a ballot receiving plate having a plurality of holes underlying allof the punchable locations on the ballot;

(b) a plurality of pins mounted under said plate for movement upwardlythrough said holes;

(c) springs for urging said pins upwardly through punchings in saidballot, said springs having insufficient force to pierce said ballotwhereby said pins 3,306,534 a a i l 4 are restrained by said ballot inthose locations which References Cited by the Examiner have Het beenPunehed UNITED STATES PATENTS (d) counters for said pins, eachresponsive to -movement of its corresponding pin through a punching621,634 3/1899 Cunmngham and Mullen 283-5 (f) retaining cords attachedto said pins; (g) and an operating member attached to all of said 10RICHARD B' WILKINSON Pnmmy 'Examme-' cords for retracting all of saidpins for placement LOUIS R CAPOZI, J, G. MURRAY, of a ballot on saidplate. v v Assistant Examiners.

